A network firewall or simply firewall is used to monitor the connection requests made to and by a system over the network. It essentially blocks malicious requests present in the network to prevent damage to the system. It acts as a wall between the system and the network requests filtering out the requests that are safe to use and blocking unwanted internet traffic.
This article contains step-by-step configuration of a firewall in MacOS.
Why Firewall is Important?
Configuring a firewall helps to block unwanted traffic and access to services and applications on a system to prevent damage. It also helps to avoid unauthorized access by blocking unwanted or unidentified requests and only allowing requests that are authorized by the user. The firewall acts as an extra layer of protection for personal information and network activity.
How to configure a firewall in MacOS?
For this article, we are using MacOS Sonoma.
Step 1: Access the firewall settings
Click on the apple icon in the left corner and click on system system settings.
In system settings, click on network and then select firewall option. This tab contains all the settings required to configure the firewall.
Click on the grey button to turn the firewall on. This will activate the firewall with default settings.
The firewall is successfully activated.
Step 2: Firewall Configuration
While the default settings are more than enough to ensure that the system only interact with authorized connection and requests, We can further configure the setting as per personal liking.
To configure the firewall, click on options under the firewall tab.
A window will appear with available configuration settings.
To block all incoming requests except basic internet services to the system, click on Block all incoming request and turn it on. This will block every request that is made to the system over the network except some basic services such as web browsing and searching.
Automatically allow built-in software to receive incoming connections: This option is activated by default in firewall. This ensures that the firewall does not hinder with built-in services and applications from receiving network request to ensure trouble free operation.
Automatically allow downloaded signed software to receive incoming connections: This option allows software which is authenticated by a signed certificate which proves authenticity of the application or service. This signed software will be allowed to access services over the network without any obstruction.
Stealth mode: Stealth mode when activated the system will continue to receive request from authorized sources but in case of an unauthorized or malicious request instead of denying the request the system will not respond and ignores the request.
During stealth mode instead of sending a no request to the unauthorized service, the system does not even respond to the request such as it is invisible over the network.
Allowing and Blocking specific applications: Firewall also allows to limit access of specific applications based on the user.
To do this click on the "+" symbol on the left hand side. A pop up window will open.
In the pop up window, select applications from left hand side menu. A list of various available applications will appear. Click on the desired application and click open.
The application will appear in the section with it's status on the firewall.
Click on the status menu to select between multiple options.
Allow incoming connections: Selecting this option will allow the application to receive all requests without any hindrance through firewall over the network.
Block incoming connections: Selecting this option will block all type of requests for this application over the network.
Select one of the two options and click ok.
Step 3: Saving changes
After all the configurations are made for the firewall, click OK to save these configurations.
Conclusion
A firewall is generally the easiest and simplest way to ensure system safety from unwanted requests over a network. It also provides plenty of options to configure the firewall behavior according to the system usage with precise control on services and applications. Overall, activating and configuring the firewall on MacOS guarantees that the system does not fall for a malicious connection request which can compromise system security and user information.